Through the years there have been several in-state recruits who felt as though Oklahoma was at times halfhearted about their pursuit of the prospects. In recent years those criticisms have largely fallen by the wayside and it seems they may continue to fall into irrelevance with Oklahoma's pursuit of Lawton, Okla. defensive end D.J. Ward.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound prospect was one of the earliest in-state offers in recent memory for the Sooners and took in Oklahoma's season opening win over Tulsa on Sept. 3. The visit itself had been long planned but according to Ward it had only been finalized in the days before the game.

"Earlier, I guess last season in the off-season they were talking about it and (me and my family) thought about it and thought we should go on up there," Ward said. "I felt like I was a priority right when I got up there."